Bond performance of NSM CFRP strips embedded in concrete using direct pull-out testing with cementitious adhesive made with graphene oxide

Abstract

Concrete structures are normally strengthened using fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) with epoxy adhesives and polymer cementitious mortars. Epoxy adhesives have significant issues, such as the release of toxic fumes throughout curing, loss of strength and stiffness when exposed to hot temperatures, and low permeability and weakness to UV radiation. In the case of polymer cementitious adhesives, their properties are adversely affected by hydrothermal conditions. An innovative high-strength self-compacting non-polymer cementitious adhesive (IHSSC-CA) has recently been developed by the authors which uses graphene oxide and cementitious materials. This paper presents the bond response of carbon FRP strips bonded to concrete substrate using near-surface mounted (NSM) technique with IHSSC-CA, epoxy and polymer cement-based adhesives using direct pull-out tests. The behaviour of each adhesive is presented and compared and the local bond-slip relationship is calculated. Finally, an analytical model is proposed to predict the ultimate pull-out force (bond strength). The results of this study confirm the effectiveness of using IHSSC-CA to improve the bond strength, stiffness, CFRP strip utilisation, ductility and residual strength of NSM CFRP system. Moreover, the proposed analytical model can simulate experimental conditions reasonably well.